File holder



Oct. 25,1932. w. s. GRAHAM FILE HOLDER Filed March 17, 1930 Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNT STATES assetti WILLIAM S. GRAHAM, F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

FILE HOLDER Application filed March 17, 1930. Serial No. 436,311.

This invention relates to holders for files of the type used in filing papers, magazines, cloth samples and the like, and as commonly used in filing systems, with respect to which this description is written, as an example of use. Such filing systems usually consist primarily of a filing cabinet having file drawers and the liles placed in ille holders therein in side-by-side relation. There are several types of file holders which are ordinarily used, one may be termed a pocket type, compriscd of leaves substantially parallel in plane and closed at the bottom edges, and also at the two ends, and sometimes having a bellows arrangement at one or more of said closures to allow for expansion of the size of the pocket. Another type of file holder ordinarily used is a folder of fibrous or compressed material, usually flexible, but having a. degree of stiffness sufficient to permit it to stand on its edge Without collapsing or bending by its own weight, the folder comprising a sheet folded so as to form a front leaf and a bach leaf normally in substantial parallelism when the holderl is empty, said leaves being hingedly oined at their lower edges by the fold. It is usual to provide on one of the upper edges of such leaves an extension or tab beyond the upper edge of the other leaf which may be used for indexing the contents of the holder but this index extension is not essential to my invention. intermediate leaves may be provided to form a plurality of leaves for sub-dividing the contents of the holder. i

This invention may be used with any type of binder or file holder, but it is particularly adaptable to and useful with the folder type described above.

lWhen the holder or binder has relatively few papers therein, the ordinary stiffness of the flexible leaves will maintain the holder in its normal upright position, but when the contents grow to a relatively bulky file, it is desirable to have the front and back leaves of the holder supported relative to each other, and particularly so that the index leaf is supported against sagging.

The principal obj ectof the invention is to provide a simple, convenient, inexpensive file holder having means whereby the leaves of the file holder may be supported relative to each other beyond the normal support of their own textures; to provide for such a means which may be adapted to adjustability with the progressive.growth of the file within the iolder; to provide means whereby the index leaf of a file holder may be prevented from gging; to provide sucha means which will lay flat upon the folder and not interfere with filing therein; to provide means to hold contents in the file in case it is accidentally dropped; to provide means whereby the horizontal transverse growth of the file contents will absorbed by vertical shortening of the leaf which is not the index leaf, and generally to improve upon the present type of file holders.

lilith the above mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter described., illustrated in the accompanying drawing and pointed out in the claims hereto appended; it being' understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

To more clearly comprehend the invention, reference is directed to the accompanying drawing, wherein llig. `l shows a perspective of the file holder partially open and showing the device of the invention attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of detail of structure shown in Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an end view of file holder illustrating how file is held therein with index leaf held vertical.

Fig. l is a vertical section on line 4--4 of Fig. 2L

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

llig. 6 is a fragmentary front elevation, showing an envelope for temporary holding of free end of cord.

Fig. is a vertical side View, showing a slight modification of passing the cord through the holder leaf. i

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 o-f Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of modified form of cord engagement.

Fig. 10 is modified form in vertical crosssection, showing a button on inside of back leaf with cord wrapped a plurality of times therearound. y

Fig. 11 shows use of invention at two end portions of holder and showing adaptability to use with a holder having a plurality of sections and division cards with index tabs.

Referring more particularly to the several views of the drawing, in which like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views, A indicates generally a folder-type file holder having edges designated as longitudinal B and vertical C, said type of folder being formed preferably of an integral leaf of material, preferably flexible, such as, for example, rolled or pressed paper board which will maintain its own form when placed on edge in the le or when holding a small thickness of contents and being folded or hinged at 5, so as to form a front leaf 6 and a back leaf 7 which normally' overlie each other. The back leaf 7 is here indicated as an index leaf having an extended portion or index tab 8 longitudinal of its upper edge, though frequently filing systems reverse the order of the index and have the front leaf bear the index tab in which case leaf 7 would be the front leaf and leaf 6 would be the back leaf. It is desirable that no obstruction or protrusion should interfere with sliding or placing papers or other contents vin the holder, and therefore leaf 7 mounts in such as cotton, linen, hemp or flexible wire,

but for convenience is designated herein as cord.

The cord 14 has adjustable engagement intermediate its ends with card 9, such engagement preferablybeing made by passing an end ofthe cordfromthe 'front face of card 9 rearwardly through hole 12 to the'v rear- 'ward face of the card 9 and thence parallel with said rearward face and again forwardly through the card 9 at hole 11, thence parallel with the front face of the card 9 to hole 10, through which it is again passed rearwardly to the rear face and thence to and along under slit 13, and to the end thereof, the cord being of sufficient length to traverse the aforesaid path and .preferably having an additional uneonlinedV or free portion 14a extending from the hole 12. rThe confined portion of cord 14?) is disposed along the rearward face of card 9 `under the slit 13 and longitudinally thereof, and has its extreme end 14e extending through the lower end of the slit 13 to the front face of card 9, and thereat has a knot 14d or other suitable means to prevent the said end from being drawn through the slot 13.

Card 9 may be attached to the file holder in any suitable manner, such as glued or stapled along the edges of its rearward face, as indicated by stippiing 15 in Fig. 2.

The attachmentof the edges of the card 9 to the leaf 7, with the cord interposed therebetween,` causes the inner portion of card 9 to bulge orbe formed up, as in Fig. 5, and this forms what may be termed a groove 16 providing'an elongated passageway which,

lwith overlying slit 13, provides a guide portion for the movement of the flexible cord.

Mounted on the cord adjacent the confined erably a washer 17 which is stapled or otherf" wise fixed to the cord, as at 18, or the cord may be iassed through a hole in the washer and knotted. This washer prevents the confined end `of the cord from being drawn or pulled outwardly through the slit 13. It is to be understood that the cord 14 is slidable with relation to the card 9 and through holes 10, 11 and 12 andalong slit 13, and also with relation Vto leaf 7 of the folder on which the card 9 is mounted.

The hole 12 is offset from alignment with the holes 10 and 11 and the slit 13, to form an angular path for the cord so as to create a substantial resistance to the movement of the cord, but said holes may be placed in to back leaf 7 intermediate the upper and lower longitudinal edges, and preferably centrally-with relation to the vertical 'edges B and C, the purpose of such positioning being that when the holder becomes bulged from increasing lcontents, the cord 14 in pass- .ing over the edges D of the contents (see Fig. 3) draws the back or index leaf 7 vertically upwardly so as to keep the index tab 8 in view, instead of permitting the back or index leaf 7 to be vertically shortened by'sag or f increase of the lile cont-ents, thus requiring that the front leaf 6, not bearing the index tab, absorb the necessary vertical shortening to provide for increase of file contents.

This structure also eliminates the passing of the cord 9 over the edge of the leaf 7 and thus saves mutilation of the index edge.

On the front face of the leaf 6 is mounted an anchoring means, such as a button 19 axially connected to the leaf 6 by an eyelet having turned-over edges which is in common use, and around which the free end 14a of the cord may be wrapped to position said leaf 6 with relation to leaf 7, with the contents of the fil-e holder therebetween. The leaf 6 may be provided with an indentation 20 as shown in Fig. 8, so that the button 19 may be inset flush with the front face of leaf 6 and a removable covering 21 of cloth or fibrous paper may be used to protect the button and to provide a smooth surface to the front of leaf 6 until the lile contents become thick enough t-o require the use. of the button in connection with the oord 111. The entire length of cord 14 may be mounted upon the card 9, beginning at the opening 12 and extending through the holes 10 and 11 and to the lower end of the slit 13, but, if desired, a free portion 14a of the cord 14 may be provided for immediate use when desired wit-hout resorting to the extendible portion, which latter free portion 14a may be stored until its use is desired, in an envelope 22 (see Fig. 6) which has its edges attached to the card 9 in any suitable manner, such as stapling or glue, and may have a line of perforations 23 and a lip 24 by which a portion of it may be readily removed for access to the end portion 14a of the cord In Figs. 7 and 9 are shown modifications of my invention; Fig. 7 shows the cord engaged by openings 10a and 11a in leaf 7 itself with the end passing out through opening 12 inthe card 9. Fig. 9 shows the front side of a card 9, wherein the cord is engaged by a secondary card or ear 25, stapled or glued as at 26 to the rear face of card 9, and which structure permits the entire confine-d portion of the cord except the free portion 14a and the end portion 14d to slide beneath the card 9, in which structure the cord is slidable between the ear 25 and the rear face of card 9, thence is passed rearwardly7 through hole 27, thence along the rear of ear 25 and `card 9 to hole 28 and thence forwardly through hole 28 where the end portion becomes a free end similar to 14a in Fig. 2. This type for some purposes is preferable to the structure of Fig. 2, but l have preferred the structure of Fig. 2, since it allows 'for rethreading of the cord through the holes, if necessary.

The cord 14, when used, is passed over the upper edges of the file contents and over the upper longitudinal edge of leaf 6, as shown in Fig. 3, and releasably engages the anchoring button 19 on leaf 6, so as to allow the free end of the cord to be wrapped therearound, and thus binds the contents in the holder, positions the leaves 6 and 7 relative to each other, and, since the opening 12 is below the upper edge of the normal file contents, the cord will draw upwardly the index leaf to which it is attachedand thereby cause any vertical shortening of the holder leaves to be absorbed by the leaf 6.

In extending the binding length of the cord, the free end of the cord may be drawn forwardly parallel with the face of leaf 7 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, with very little resistance, but when pulled at rightangles to the plane of the leaf or outwardly therefrom, it immediately binds so as to produce great resistance, and for practical purposes locks against extension, so that a se-V cure, adjustable connection is formed between the leaves 6 and 7. Passing of the cord over the edges of the lile contents and over the upper longitudinal edge of leaf 6 also changes the direction of stress, and further serves to lock the cord against unintentional extension. lf the lile contents are later diminished so that it is desired to shorten the free end 14a of the cord, this is accomplished by drawing the cord rearwardly along the slit 13 by means of the knot 14d, this movement being parallel with the card and thereby offering-very little resistance.

My invention is especially adaptable to installation with established filing systems without the expense and work ofreplacing the existing file holders, by my provision of a sci iarate mounting member such card 9, as shown in 2 and 9, adapted for attachment by staples, glue or other suitable fastening n'ieans, to the existing lilo holders and which also adapted to placement at any desired position or plurality of positions to suit a plurality of index tabs as shown in Fig. 11, or a condition where thickness of tile contents is greater at one end than at the other, which frequently occurs from filing of half sheets, or paper clips, or small booklets. Separate buttons 19 may be attached to the existing lile holders by an eyelet punch of well known use. While my pref-erred and illustrated form is to provide a Card 9 for attachment to one leaf of the folder so as to adapt the invention to existing established filing systems, it is manifest that the slit 14, and holes 10q 11 and 12 may be formed in the leaf itself, and the cord threaded therethrough in like manner, as shown by the card 9 of Fig. 2; if it is desired to eliminate the` feature of adjustability of the freeV length of the oord, the cord may he lixedly attachd to the leaf at approximately the same position it is shown as connected to the leaf in Fig. 1, which correspones to hole 12 of Fig. 2.

llfhile invention is described with relation to file holders, Vit is equally adapted to use with portfolios, magazine binders, cloth sample binders, folders for salesmens samples, and other purposes where it is desired to provide extendible means to relatively position leaves of a binder.

Having described my invention, I claim and desire to secure Letters Patent for l. A. file holder of the character described, comprising a plurality of hingedly connected leaves, a flexible member connected between its ends to one of said leaves so as to be adapted for adjustment relative to said connection, and an anchor means on another leaf adapted to releasably engage an end portion of said flexible member.

2. A file holder of the character described, comprising a pair of leaves hingedly Connected, one of said. leaves being provided with anelongated guide portion, a flexible cord slidably connected to said one leaf with a portion of said cord reciprocably slidable insaid guide portion, and anchor means on the other leaf whereby an end portion of said cord may be releasably anchored to said other leaf.

3. A file holder of the character described, comprising a plurality of hingedly connected leaves, a flexible cord slidably adjustably connected between its ends to one of said leaves by means adapted to yieldingly resist the sliding of the cord, and a device on the other of said leaves whereby a portion of said cord may be releasably anchored tosaid other leaf.

'-l. A device to releasably position in adjustable relationship a plurality of leaves of a file holder, comprising a mounting member having an elongated slit therein, a flexible cord mounted on saidmounting member and having one end slidably engaged by the edges of the slit, said mounting member including other means to frictionally engage said cord so as to yieldingly resist the sliding of the cord relative to the mounting member.

5. A device for relatively positioning free edges of hinged leaves of a file holder, comprising a cardV having an elongated slit therein and adapted to be mounted on one of said leaves, a flexiblecord mounted between itsends on said card and adapted for slidable adjustment relativeto the card, said cord having a free end portion and an end slid-ably engaged by the edges ofthe slit, and said card including other means to engage the cord so as to yieldingly resist the sliding of the said cord relative to the card.

A device for relatively positioning free edges of hinged leaves of a file holder, comprising a card adapted to be mounted onV one of said leaves, said card having a straight slit therein and a perforation offset from alignment with the slit, a flexible cord having one end threaded through said perforation and having its other end portion slidably engaged by the edges of the slit.

7. A file holder comprising a pair ofleaves hinged at one edge and free at the respective opposite edges and having Vrelatively opposed inner faces so disposedthat one leaf overlies the other, a flexible member having one end portion attached to the inner face of one of said leaves at a position on said one leaf within the area over which the other leaf lies, Vsaid flexible member having a free portion adapted for passing over the free edge of the other leaf, and an anchor means on the outer face of said other leaf adapted for releasable engagement by the free portion of the flexible member.

Y 8. A leholder of the character described, comprising a plurality of hingedly connected leaves, means providing in kcombination with one of said leaves an elongated passageway and: a slit overlying the passageway, a flexible cord slidable within said passageway and with one Vend portion extending through the slit, said, means being adapted to otherwise slidably engage the cord for yielding resistance to its sliding, and means whereby the other end portion of said cord may be releasably anchored to the other of said leaves.

9. A device for relatively positioning leaves of a file folder in which the leaves are hingedly connected at oney edge and have their respective opposite edges free and have relatively opposed inner faces so disposed that one leafrnormally overlies the other, said devicefcomprising a member separate from the Vsaid leaves, and having a coating of adhesiveon one `face thereof, a flexible cord having one end portion connected to said member, said member being adapted to be mounted onthe inner face of one of said leaves, said flexible member having a free portion adapted for passing over the free edge of the other leaf when said member is thusly mounted, and -means whereby a free portion ofthe flexible cord may be releasably engaged, said last-mentioned means being adapted for niiounting on the outer face of said other leaf. l

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

YILLIAM S. GRAHAM. 

